Banda rape case: Charge sheet filed, Maya defends govt

Lucknow: Charge sheet was filed against BSP MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwiwedi for allegedly raping a 17-year-old dalit girl in Banda, a jailor and four cops were suspended in connection to the case. Under all round attack from Opposition for “giving shelter” to the Banda rape accused MLA, Chief Minister Mayawati has come in the open to defend her government.

Addressing mediapersons here in Lucknow, the UP Chief Minister said, the state government has taken “appropriate action” against the accused MLA. “The opposition is making an unnecessary political issue out of it”, she said.

Defending her government`s handling of the case, Mayawati said that an application has been filed for hearing the case in a fast track court.

"The CB-CID report has today filed a charge sheet in Banda rape case (against MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi) and also submitted its report to the government," Mayawati said.

On the basis of report, the government has suspended Circle officer, Attara, Rajendra Yadav, Additional SP Lalaram, Sub-inspector RS Shukla and acting SHO Attara Abdul Jabbar for laxity in supervision and for not probing the fake theft case against the victim, the CM said.
Banda jailor Gyan Prakash has also been suspended for failing to pay heed to the opinion of the jail doctor, who was told about the rape by the girl, she said.

Accusing the opposition parties of "shedding crocodile tears", “The Opposition has no room left to air their political agenda, hence they are trying to politicise Banda rape case”, she said.

Taking potshots at the Congress, Mayawati asked as to what the central commissions were doing in cases related to atrocities on women in Delhi and Haryana.

"Be it Ruchika case, Jessica Lal, Priyardarshani Mattoo or infamous Tandoor case involving Congress leader Sushil Sharma, no action was taken by Congress and others parties unlike the BSP government, which has taken action against its ministers and lawmakers whenever they were found involved in misdeeds," Mayawati said.
Alleging that there was "jungle raj" during the previous SP regime, Mayawati said that she had ensured rule of law in the state and given top priority to law and order.

Mayawati also claimed that the rate of crime in Uttar Pradesh is “much low” in comparison to other places of the country.